As hmmm said " Wet and dry flat block" and use WD40 for the WET of wet and dry, then clean with turps.
1979 heads were the 1st with a 5/16 unc thread boss hole inbetween the pushrods too take the big letterbox aircleaner, barrels should be 3 3/16 " bore = 1000 c.c., with the head bolt threads starting 1/2" down from the top of the barrel head gasket surface, if you pull the front pull the back barrel off & do a re-fit these go out too 0.060" oversize i have a 1974 sporty out too 0.070 o.s. 10 to 1 comp ? ,
service heads + hone & re-ring or bore too + 0.040 pistons , i think i have a new set of 40's here
the -71 was the casting # the 8 made released in 1978 but for the 1979 model sale, no different from 1974 - 1985 barrels + heads
Me 1st harley was a new 79 XLS
Looking at the pictures that Grotty posted. In looking at the piston in one of the pictures shows that the rods need some attention. Look at that piston, are the wear marks going straight up and down or do they appear to be at an angle ?? That angled pattern usually indicate a worn out wrist pin bushing or the connecting rods are to loose. I may be wrong but i would look into it while it is apart.
anymore questions just ask. danvanceracing.com
old castiron sporties have been around for a long time a lot have been got @ as well because people buy them cheap & ride them into the ground give them a outside polish & paint then sell them off too the next guy, who realy can't afford to spend a lot @ her , it just goe's on down the line the poor sportie get's a bad name as a trouble bike but it realy is not the bike's fault , there's no such bike as a cheap old cast iron sporty not in the long term but a good bike if you know how to run 1 & spanner them
hi . good too enjoy a early motor re fit, if you need a hand on any cast iron question not a problem , i've had that model since 1979 , i have a 1980 motor i have to put together for a fellow @ the moment complete , , i know a few tricks for in the g/box if you need ,
